I tried over a dozen, from highly rated DVD players, inexpensive audio transports to the latest PS Audio expensive transport. I chose a fully upgraded/moded Arcam Delta with a new transport mechanism. I had to upgrade the resistor fuse twice and double it's rating as two different boards blew and had to rebuild. Otherwise, I would choose a Jay's Audio CDT3/M3 for $5,000. The digital cable also makes a difference although I only tried 5, I'm keeping the Synergistic Research Atmosphere Euphoria X, best bang for the buck and only SR cable I own.
If the DAC is the same, how different do CD transports sound?
One interesting topic of discussion here is how audible the differences are between CD players when they are used as transports only — or when they are only transports to begin with.
In other words, in a comparison which keeps the DAC the same, how much difference can be heard between CD transports?
This recent video by Harley Lovegrove of Pearl Acoustics provides one test of this question. It may not be the ultimate test, but he does describe the experimental conditions and informations about the qualifications of the listeners.
He comes to the main conclusion here: https://youtu.be/TAOLGsS27R0?t=1079
The whole video is worth watching, I think.